High stakes in Crete: Linda Syrovátková set for the Agios Nikolaos on SUP double bill – Paddle Europe Championships & ICF World Cup

The strength of the Czech SUP National Team was on full display at Planet Baltic, showcasing the versatility of a new generation of Czech racers taking on the open sea, big swell and challenging conditions. Among them was multiple Czech Champion, Linda Syrovátková, 19, from Mladá Boleslav, who trains with SUPMB under coach Jaroslav Soukup and has stepped into the Women Open Division this season after establishing herself among the world’s leading junior paddlers.

NSP Team Rider Syrovátková has progressed rapidly, making a strong impression as she stepped onto the international SUP racing scene. Before paddleboarding, she competed in cross-country skiing, but in 2021 she lined up for her first Czech Cup paddleboard race – and hasn’t looked back, emerging as one of the country’s leading young racers.

2025 was a breakthrough international season, with two World Cup victories in Sitia, Crete, and a second place at the ICF SUP World Ranking event in Agios Nikolaos.

Now, Linda is heading back to Agios Nikolaos on SUP, where another major test awaits. The 2026 edition brings a double bill of championship racing, with the ECA / Paddle Europe European SUP Championships taking place from 18-20 September, followed by the ICF World Cup from 20-23 September. The two events will share the Long Distance race, creating a packed week of international competition on the waters of Crete.

We caught up with Linda to talk about the event, her transition from flat-water racing to ocean competition, the demands of racing in changing conditions, and the next generation of Czech SUP athletes.

Image source: Header Alex Macheras courtesy of Agios Nikolaos on SUP | Profile photo by Robert Hajduk & Szymon Sikora

Hi Linda, welcome to TotalSUP! You’ve made a remarkably fast rise through the SUP ranks. What do you think has been behind that progression and what has kept you motivated to keep pushing forward?

Hi Anna, thank you so much for this opportunity. I think that the main thing that is behind my progress, and what keeps me motivated is definitely the paddleboarding community.

When I started paddling, I had no idea what is the right technique and so many people started to giving me advice on how to paddle correctly. That helped me a lot in the beginning.

At the moment, I have to thank to my coach Jaroslav Soukup, for a biggest part of my progress. He has been my coach for almost two years, and with him, I feel that I have made such a big improvement.

What keeps me motivated are definitely my friends from Czech paddleboarding scene and, of course, my parents, who support me in everything that I do.

Photo by Robert Hajduk & Szymon Sikora

You’re part of a strong new generation of Czech SUP racers. How would you describe the development of the Czech SUP scene right now, and what is driving its growth?

Right now, in the Czech Republic, we have many great junior athletes who are making their way onto the international scene. Even though I’m not that much older, I love watching them improve and seeing how they push each other at every race.

In my opinion, the thing that drives the Czech paddleboarding scene forward the most is racing abroad. We recently took part in the Planet Baltic SUP Race, which is also part of the Czech Cup.

Since we have no sea and travelling to the coast frequently is difficult, this is a great opportunity to train and race in waves. It’s also a great opportunity to compare ourselves with foreign racers, and for me personally, that is the biggest motivation to work hard.

Image source: Česká Federace SURF a SUP

There are increasingly more Czech athletes making an impact internationally. What is it like to be part of that generation and do you push each other when racing abroad?

It feels great to be part of that generation. Knowing that I have someone to warm-up with, someone to talk to about the race, and that we can experience some good result together as a team is awesome.

We of course push each other at international races. When I look back to every race abroad, it is great to see someone from Czechia on the course, so we can draft to help each other, or simply motivate each other to keep pushing.

You’re heading back to Agios Nikolaos, where you took second place in Tech Race Junior 2025. What memories come back when you think about that race and how much are you looking forward to returning?

When I think about Agios Nikolaos, the fist thing that comes to my mind is the big waves. They were so challenging but really fun at the same time, and I am looking forward to seeing what conditions the sea brings us this year, and I am really looking forward for these races overall.

Image source: Alex Macheras courtesy of Agios Nikolaos on SUP

You’re known as a very versatile paddler, comfortable both in flatwater racing and open-sea conditions. How important is that versatility when you arrive at a race like Agios Nikolaos, where conditions can play such a big role?

It is very important. I would not say that I am one hundred percent comfortable at sea conditions, but I am trying to improve trough training camps by the sea, and I am starting to feel more confident on the waves.

Unfortunately, I have not had as many opportunities to train at sea this year due to school commitments.

But versatility will be very important because sea conditions can change every hour before the race or even during the race. So it is important to be as stable and prepared as possible for all types of sea conditions.

Image source: Alex Macheras courtesy of Agios Nikolaos on SUP

Last year, Agios Nikolaos was one of the highlights of your breakthrough international season. What did that race teach you, and is there anything you would approach differently this time?

That race taught me how unpredictable the sea can be and how challenging a technical race can be in such big waves. I had never raced in waves like this before, so it definitely gave me a lot of new experience.

I probably would have approached the race tactically differently because I remember riding at full speed for the first half of the lap – because that is what I do on flat water – but then I didn’t have enough strength left to stay on the board during the downwind waves.

Image source: Alex Macheras courtesy of Agios Nikolaos on SUP

Agios Nikolaos can deliver very different conditions from what you might experience racing in Central Europe. What do you enjoy most about competing in the open sea, and how does it suit your style of paddling?

I enjoy the waves, of course. Even though they are hard, I love catching waves during the race and gaining speed from them. Overall, I also enjoy the beach starts and beach runs on the sand because they are not part of many races in Czechia.

I think these kinds of races actually suit me because, in the waves, you need to have shorter strokes with the paddle to get over the waves, and that is my style of paddling on flat water.

Photo by Robert Hajduk & Szymon Sikora

You’re an NSP rider – which board will you be taking to Agios Nikolaos, and what makes it the right choice for this race?

I will propably be taking the Ninja 14×20, which is my favourite board, but it will depend on the conditions. I might take the Caroline 14×22 or the Ninja 14×22 if needed.

The new Caroline Evo 14×22 suited me really well in the waves at Planet Baltic SUP race, so I think that would be my choice if the conditions are hard.

Photo by Robert Hajduk & Szymon Sikora

When you line up in Agios Nikolaos this year, what would make you walk away from the event thinking, ‘Yes, that was a great race’?

If I finished in the Top 10, it would definitely be great, but I have to be realistic. Since I am not a junior anymore and this is my first year racing in the Open category, I am mainly looking to gain experience and learn how racing in this category is different, so that I can use it in the future.

And what would make me think, ‘Yes, that was a great race’? Definitely some good, fair fights and knowing that I didn’t make any big mistakes.

Image source: Alex Macheras courtesy of Agios Nikolaos on SUP

Thank you so much Linda for your time – Have an epic event in Crete!

To find out more about the event and REGISTER, visit agiosonsup.gr

Follow the event on Instagram and Facebook 

Follow Linda on Instagram

To find out more about NSP, visit nspsurfboards.com 

Follow NSP on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube